Terminal connector

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a connecting clip, in particular a connecting clip for a battery tester, which said connecting clip has a first clip half ( 10 ) and a second clip half ( 11 ), and is provided for electrically connecting a contact with a first lead ( 12 ) and a second lead ( 13 ). 
     It is provided, according to the invention, that the first clip half ( 10 ) has only one first contact area ( 14 ), which is provided exclusively for establishing the connection between the contact and the first lead ( 12 ), that the second clip half ( 11 ) has only one second contact area ( 15 ) that is provided exclusively for establishing the connection between the contact and the second lead ( 13 ), and that the first contact area ( 14 ) and the second contact area ( 15 ) are electrically insulated from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a connecting clip, in particular aconnecting clip for a battery tester, which said connecting clip has afirst clip half and a second clip half and is provided for electricallyconnecting a contact with a first lead and a second lead.

The connecting clips according to the general class are used inconjunction with battery testers, for example. To test a battery, e.g.,an automotive battery, the terminals or contacts of the battery must beconnected to a load and to a measuring device by means of separateleads. When the load is known, the internal resistance of the batterycan be determined by measuring voltage and current, for example, whichsaid internal resistance is a measure of the starting power that thebattery can provide. In the case of known connecting clips, the two cliphalves are connected in electrically conductive fashion and form a loadconnection. Inside one clip half, a contact area that is electricallyinsulated from this clip half is provided for the measurementconnection. In the case of the known exemplary embodiments of theconnecting clips according to the general class, the opening angle islimited compared to a standard clip without a measurement connection.The measurement connection is difficult to connect and is often bondedor welded into the corresponding clip half in costly fashion. When theconnecting clip is used, a problem often occurs, namely, there is noassurance that only the contact area for the measurement connection iscontacted, and not the clip half in which is it housed. A furtherproblem is the fact that the measurement connection and thecorresponding contact area can become detached under certain loadconditions or as a result of vibration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due to the fact that, with the connecting clip according to theinvention, it is provided that the first clip half has only one firstcontact area that is provided exclusively for establishing theconnection between the contact and the first lead, that the second cliphalf has only one second contact area that is provided exclusively forestablishing the connection between the contact and the second lead, andthat the first contact area and the second contact area are electricallyinsulated from each other, it can be ensured that the first lead as wellas the second lead can be electrically interconnected securely with acontact, e.g., a battery terminal. Furthermore, connections, inparticular adhesive connections, can be eliminated in many cases and theconnecting clip can be cleaned in simple fashion, since no additionalcomponents are housed in the clip.

In the case of the connecting clip according to the invention, it ispreferably further provided that the first clip half has a first sectioncomposed of an electrically conductive material, which said sectionforms the first contact area. In this case, a connection, in particularan adhesive connection, between the first clip half and the firstcontact area can be eliminated. This is advantageous because adhesiveconnections, in particular, have often become detached unexpectedly inthe case of the related art.

For the same reason, it is preferably provided in the case of theconnecting clip according to the invention that the second clip half hasat least one section composed of an electrically conductive materialthat forms the second contact area.

In the case of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the connecting clipaccording to the invention it is provided that the first clip half andthe second clip half are interconnected by a joint. In this context,exemplary embodiments are feasible in which the first section and/or thesecond section do not extend up to the joint. In this case, the firstsection and the second section remain electrically insulated from eachother, even when the joint and/or the sections of the clip halvesinterconnected with the joint are formed out of electrically conductivematerial. In this context it is feasible, for example, to produce an endsection of the first clip half and an end section of the second cliphalf out of a plastic material in such a fashion that the joint islocated in the area of this plastic material, and that the plasticsections function as grips.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the connecting clip according tothe invention it is provided that the first section and the secondsection extend beyond the joint, and that the electrical insulation ofthe first section and the second section is situated in the area of thejoint. For example, if the first section and the second section areformed out of a suitable metal, an exemplary embodiment of this typeresults in the advantage that the first clip half and the second cliphalf can be interconnected in stable fashion via an appropriate joint.

In this context it is preferred that the entire first clip half form thefirst section.

It is further preferred in this context that the entire second clip halfform the second section. If the entire first clip half as well as theentire second clip half form the first and section sections,respectively, the respective clip halves can be produced as singlecomponents, preferably out of a suitable metal. This does not rule outthe possibility, however, that the corresponding end sections of theclip halves are equipped with grips, which said grips can be formed outof plastic, for example.

In the case of the connecting clip according to the invention, it ispreferably further provided that the strand of the first lead is weldedto the first section at a first connection point, and that the strand ofthe second lead is welded to the second section at a second connectionpoint. A welded joint results in very low contact resistance and goodstability. Other types of connections can be used if necessary, however,such as screwed or soldered joints, for example.

It is preferably provided in conjunction with the connecting clipaccording to the invention that the first lead is provided forconnecting a load. In the case of a load of this type, it can be a loadmentioned intially, for example, that is connected to determine theinternal resistance of a battery.

In conjunction with the connecting clip according to the invention, itis preferably further provided that the second lead is provided forperforming a current and/or voltage measurement. This applies inparticular when the first lead is provided for connecting a load, andthe connecting clip according to the invention is to be used with abattery tester.

The connecting clip according to the invention preferably has preloadmeans as well, which said preload means preload the first contact areaand the second contact area toward each other, as is known per se.

In the case of the connecting clip according to the invention, it canfurther be provided that the joint is a pivot joint that includes abolt, around which the first clip half and/or the second clip half canpivot. The joint can be formed, for example, by the mentioned bolt andappropriate bore holes in the clip halves.

In the case of the connecting clip according to the invention it ispreferably provided that the preload means are located in the area ofthe joint.

In this context in particular, it can further be provided in the case ofthe connecting clip according to the invention that the preload meansare formed by a coil spring that is located around the bolt, at least insections. In particular, when the entire first clip half forms the firstsection and the entire second clip half forms the second section, orwhen the first section and the second section extend beyond the joint,it is preferably provided with the connecting clip according to theinvention that insulation material is located between the preload meansand the bolt and/or between the preload means and the first clip halfand/or the second clip half and/or between the bolt and the first cliphalf and/or the second clip half. Insulation material of thisnature—which can also be present in multiple plies—can be formed out ofa suitable plastic, for example. The insulation material functions inparticular to electrically insulate the first section from the secondsection.

In this context, it can be further provided with the connecting clipaccording to the invention that insulation material extends coaxiallywith the bolt, at least in sections. This applies in particular for thecase in which preload means are located at least partially around thebolt, whereby, in a case of this nature, the insulation material can belocated between the bolt and the preload means.

In the case of certain exemplary embodiments of the connecting clipaccording to the invention it is provided that the preload means have afirst exposed end and a second exposed end, and that the first exposedend bears against the first clip half, while the second exposed endbears against the second clip half. An exemplary embodiment of this typeis considered, in particular, when the preload means are formed by acoil spring, in particular by a coil spring through which a boltextends, which said bolt is a component of the joint. In this case, thespring force is transferred via the first exposed end and the secondexposed end of the coil spring to the first clip half and the secondclip half preferably in such a fashion that the first contact area andthe second contact area are preloaded toward each other.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the connecting clipaccording to the invention it is further provided that the first leadand the second lead are interconnected behind the clip in electricallyinsulated fashion by connecting means. An exemplary embodiment of thistype prevents the connecting clip according to the invention frombecoming interlocked with multiple cables when it is pulled throughthem, since the first lead and the second lead and, therefore, theentire connecting clip, move along between the other cables in themanner of a wedge, at least when a tensile load is applied. Withoutbeing limited to this, connecting means to be considered include one ormore plastic rings or sleeves, for example, that form a type of pressfit when slid over the first lead and the second lead.

When the aforementioned connecting means are provided in particular, itis further provided with the connecting clip according to the inventionthat the first lead extends out of an end section of the first clip halfforming a first grip, and the second lead extends out of an end sectionof the second clip half forming a second grip. The first and secondleads preferably extend outward in such a fashion that they are at leastsubstantially prevented from becoming interlocked with other cables.

Every application of a connecting clip according to the invention with abattery tester is included in the scope of protection of the associatedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with referenceto the associated drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the connectingclip according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional drawing (along the line of cut I-II inFIG. 1) of the joint of the connecting clip in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a connecting clip for a battery tester, whereby theconnecting clip has a first clip half 10 and a second clip half 11. Thefirst clip half 10 and the second clip half 11 are provided forelectrically interconnecting a contact in the form of a battery terminalwith a first lead 12 and a second lead 13. The first clip half 10 formsa first contact area 14, which is provided exclusively for establishingthe connection between the battery terminal and the first lead 12. In asimilar fashion, the second clip half 11 forms a second contact area 15,which is provided exclusively for establishing the connection betweenthe battery terminal and the second lead 13. The first contact area 14and the second contact area 15 are electrically insulated from eachother. In the case shown, the first clip half 10 is produced entirelyout of electrically conductive material, so that this material alsoforms the first contact area 14. In similar fashion, the second cliphalf 11 is produced entirely out of electrically conductive material, sothat this material also forms the second contact area 15. The first cliphalf 10 and the second clip half 11 are interconnected by a joint 20,whereby the design of the joint 20 is explained in detail hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 2. The strand of the first lead 12 is welded at afirst connection point 16 to the first section formed by the first cliphalf 10. In similar fashion, the strand of the second lead 13 is weldedat a second connection point 17 to the second section formed by thesecond clip half 11. The first lead 11 is provided for connecting aload, which load is connected between the two battery terminals with theaid of a second connecting clip according to the invention. The secondlead 13 is provided for performing a current or voltage measurement,whereby this measurement is carried out with the aid of the secondconnecting clip according to the invention between the batteryterminals. The connecting clip shown has preload means 21 in the form ofa coil spring 21 that preloads the first contact area 14 and the secondcontact area 15 toward each other. The coil spring 21 has a firstexposed end section 25 and a second exposed end section 26, whereby thefirst exposed end section 25 bears against the first clip half 10 via aninsulation material 24, while the second exposed end 26 bears againstthe second clip half 11. In the case shown, the first lead 12 and thesecond lead 13 are interconnected in electrically insulated fashionbehind the connecting clip by connecting means 18. The connecting means18 are formed by a sleeve slid over the first lead 12 and the secondlead 13, which said sleeve can be made of plastic, for example. Furtherdown, i.e., on the side of the sleeve 18 furthest away from theconnecting clip, the first lead 12 and the second lead 13 areinterconnected, e.g., in the fashion of a double-conductor cable. Thefirst lead 12 extends out of the end section of the first clip half 10forming a first grip 19 a, while the second lead 13 extends out of theend section of the second clip half 11 forming a second grip 19 b. Thistype of extension of the first lead 12 and the second lead 13 makes itpossible, in conjunction with the sleeve 18, that the connecting clipaccording to the invention can be pulled between numerous other cableswithout becoming interlocked with them.

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional drawing—along the line of cut I-II—of thejoint of the connecting clip in FIG. 1. In the case shown, the joint isformed by bore holes 28 a, 28 b provided in the first clip half 10, boreholes 27 a, 27 b provided in the second clip half 11, and a bolt 22guided through the bore holes 27 a, 27 b, 28 a, 28 b. A pivot joint 20is therefore formed, by means of which the first clip half 10 and thesecond clip half 11 can pivot around the bolt 22. The preload means areformed by the coil spring 21, which is located around the bolt 22 insections. The coil spring 21 has a first end section 25 that bearsagainst the first clip half 10. Furthermore, the coil spring 21 has asecond end section 26 that bears against the second clip half 11.Insulation material 23 is located between the bolt 22 and the section ofthe coil spring 21 arranged around said bolt, which said insulationmaterial is located coaxially with the bolt 22. The insulation material23 is shaped in such a fashion that it has sections extending radiallytoward the bolt 22 in order to prevent and electrical contact betweenthe first clip half 10 and the second clip half 11. To prevent thisundesired electrical contact between the first clip half 10 and thesecond clip half 11 from taking place via the coil spring 21, the firstend section 25 of the coil spring 21 bears against the first clip half10 via further insulation material 24.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the firstclip halves and the second clip halves essentially have the samegeometry, whereby one of the clip halves is shaped in the area of thejoint. The insulation material 23 can be formed by two sleeves 23 a, 23b, each of which has a collar-like, radially-extending extension on oneend section, which said extension is used to provide the mutualinsulation between the first clip half 10 and the second clip half 11described hereinabove.

The preceding description of the exemplary embodiments according to thepresent invention is intended for illustration purposes only and is notintended to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications arepossible within the framework of the invention without leaving the scopeof the invention or its equivalents.

1. A connecting clip, in particular a connecting clip for a batterytester, which said connecting clip has a first clip half (10) and asecond clip half (11) interconnected by a joint (20), and is providedfor electrically connecting a contact with a first lead (12) and asecond lead (13), wherein the first clip half (10) has only one firstcontact area (14), which is provided exclusively for establishing theconnection between the contact and the first lead (12), whereby thesecond clip half (11) has only one second contact area (15) that isprovided exclusively for establishing the connection between the contactand the second lead (13), and whereby the first contact area (14) andthe second contact area (15) are electrically insulated from each otherthe first lead (12) and the second lead (13) are connected behind theconnecting clip in electrically insulated fashion by connecting means(18) the first lead extends out of the end section of the first cliphalf (10) forming a first grip (19 a), and the second lead (13) extendsout of the end section of the second clip half (11) forming a secondgrip (19 b), wherein the first clip half (10) has at least one firstsection composed of an electrically conductive material and forms thefirst contact area (14), and wherein the first section does not extendup to the joint (20).
 2. The connection clip according to claim 1,wherein the second clip half (11) has at least one second sectioncomposed of an electrically conductive material and forms the secondcontact area (15).
 3. The connecting clip according to claim 1, whereinthe entire first clip half (10) forms the first section.
 4. Theconnecting clip according to claim 1, wherein the first lead (12) isprovided for connecting a load.
 5. The connecting clip according toclaim 1, wherein the second lead (13) is provided for performing acurrent and/or a voltage measurement.
 6. The connecting clip accordingto claim 1, wherein probed means (21) are provided that preload thefirst contact area (14) and the second contact area (15) toward eachother.
 7. The connecting clip according to claim 1, wherein the joint(20) is a pivotal joint (20) that includes a bolt (22) around which thefirst dip half (10) and/or the second clip half (11) can pivot.
 8. Theconnecting clip according to claim 1, wherein insulating material (23)extends coaxially with the bolt (22), at least in sections.
 9. Theconnecting clip according to claim 1, wherein the preload means (21)have a first exposed end (25) and a second exposed end (26), and whereinthe first exposed end (25) bears against the first dip half (10), whilethe second exposed end (26) bears against the second clip half (11). 10.The connecting clip according to claim 1, wherein the first lead (12)and the second lead (13) are interconnected behind the connecting flipin electrically insulated fashion by connecting means (18).
 11. Theconnecting clip according to claim 1, wherein the first lead extends outof the second section of the first clip half (10) forming a first grip(19 a), and wherein the second lead (13) extends out of the end sectionof the second clip half (11) forming a second grip (19 b).
 12. Theconnecting clip according to claim 2, wherein the second section doesnot extend up to the joint (20).
 13. The connecting clip according toclaim 2, wherein the first section and the section extend beyond thejoint (20), and wherein the electrical insulation of the first sectionand the second section is situated in the area of the joint (20). 14.The connecting clip according to claim 2, wherein the entire second cliphalf (11) forms the second section.
 15. The connecting clip according toclaim 2, wherein a strand of the first lead (12) is welded to the firstsection at a first connection point (16), and wherein a strand of thesecond lead (13) is welded to the second section at a second connectionpoint (17).
 16. The connecting clip according to claim 6, wherein thepreload means (21) are located in the area of the joint (20).
 17. Theconnecting clip according to claim 6, wherein the preload means (21) areformed by a coil spring (21) that is located around the bolt (22), atleast in sections.
 18. The connecting clip according to claim 6, whereininsulating material (23, 24) is located between the preload means (21)and the bolt (22), and/or between the preload means (21) and the firstclip half (10) and/or the second clip half (11), and/or between the bolt(22) and the second clip half (10) and/or the second clip half (11). 19.A battery tester including a connecting clip, which has a first cliphalf (10) and a second clip half (11) interconnected by a joint (20),and is provided for electrically connecting a contact with a first lead(12) and a second lead (13), wherein the first clip half (10) has onlyone first contact area (14), which is provided exclusively forestablishing the connection between the contact and the first lead (12),whereby the second clip half (11) has only one second contact area (15)that is provided exclusively for establishing the connection between thecontact and the second lead (13), and whereby the first contact area(14) and the second contact area (15) are electrically insulated fromeach other the first lead (12) and the second lead (13) are connectedbehind the connecting clip in electrically insulated fashion byconnecting means (18) the first lead extends out of the end section ofthe first clip half (10) forming a first grip (19 a), and the secondlead (13) extends out of the end section of the second clip half (11)forming a second grip (19 b), wherein the first clip half (10) has atleast one first section composed of an electrically conductive materialand forms the first contact area (14); and wherein the first sectiondoes not extend up to the joint (20).